Patient support table provided with a wiring guiding means

ABSTRACT

The apparatus ( 10 ) arranged for enabling a patient handling according to the invention is provided with an electronic unit ( 2 ) arranged to enable a suitable patient examination. The patient to be examined is positioned on a patient support table. The patient support table comprises a table top ( 4   a ) which can be translated with respect to a table base ( 4   b ). In order to operate the apparatus a control means ( 12 ) is provided. The control means ( 12 ) is electrically connected to a table base connection box ( 6 ) by means of a suitable wiring. The apparatus according to the invention is provided with a table top connection box ( 4   c ), which is attachable to the table top ( 4   a ), preferably at the foot portion of the table top. The wiring to the control means is directed from the table base connection box ( 6 ) via the table pedestal ( 4   b ) under the table top ( 4   a ) to the table top connection box ( 4   c ), which is provided with second connection means ( 4   d ) providing suitable connectors. The wiring running from an exit point in the table pedestal to the table top connection box is housed in the guiding means, which can be a suitable hollow container which is arranged to keep the individual cables in place during the translation of the table top ( 4   a ) and is selected with a suitable length to match the translation of the table top. Preferably, the guiding means are fixated to a two static fixation points, for example a table pedestal ( 2   b ) and a table top connection box ( 4   c ). In order to accommodate the wiring running from the table top connection box ( 4   c ) to the control means ( 12 ) a set of hooks ( 5 ) can be arranged on the rails (not shown) of the table top ( 4   a ).

The invention relates to an apparatus arranged to enable a patienthandling, said apparatus comprising an electronic unit arranged tocarry-out said handling, a translatable patient support table andcontrol means arranged to control said apparatus, said apparatus furthercomprising a wiring to the control means.

The invention still further relates to a patient support table.

The apparatus as is set forth in the opening paragraph is known in theart of medical diagnostic equipment. An example of an embodiment of theknown apparatus is an X-ray diagnostic unit arranged to enable an X-rayexamination of a patient. For this purpose the patient is put on apatient support table, which is translatable in a plurality ofdirections, most commonly in three orthogonal x-, y-, z-directions andis rotateable about an axis. In conventional apparatus the patientsupport table is rotateable about a vertical axis, however in moresophisticated apparatus also a rotation about a horizontal axis isforeseen. The X-ray examination unit further comprises a gantry on whichan X-ray source and an X-ray detector are mounted. Conventionally, theX-ray source and the X-ray detector are mounted on a C-shaped gantrywhich can be rotated about a horizontal axis. In order to examine thepatient, the patient support table is positioned in an x-y-z-space sothat the X-rays emanating from the X-ray source intercept a target areaof the patient. The known X-ray apparatus further comprises a controlmeans arranged to control the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and thetranslation of the patient support table. The control means isreplaceably arranged, so that its position on the patient support tablecan be changed for an operator's convenience as the operator frequentlychanges his place with respect to the patient support table for aprocedure of the patient handling. It is a common general practice toprovide a wiring to the X-ray examination apparatus, which runs to aremote location, where a remote computer is located. Most commonly, apath of the wiring is divided into two sub-paths. A first sub-pathcovers for a distance between the remote location and the patientsupport table. The first sub-path is terminated at a first connectionmeans, commonly called a table-base connection box. The second sub-pathcovers for a distance between the table-base connection box and thecontrol means of the apparatus. The wiring of the second sub-path is ofsuch a length that it does not obstruct a translation and rotation ofthe patient support table to its maximum range. The wiring of the secondsub-path is most frequently arranged so that it partially lies on thefloor or hangs nearby the table due to it having a superfluous length.

It is a disadvantage of the known apparatus that the wiring, comprisinga plurality of individual cables, is running free in the area of thepatient handling, which causes tangling of the wiring and it's hookingabout the patient support table. In addition, when the cables aresubstantially bended, they get easily damaged limiting the durability ofthe apparatus as a whole.

It is an object of the invention to provide the apparatus for a patienthandling with an improved cabling durability.

For this purpose in the apparatus according to the invention a wiring isat least partially housed in a substantially flexible guiding meansarranged to substantially match a displacement of the patient supporttable. It has been long sought in the field of patient handlingapparatus for a solution to arrange the wiring so that several criteriaare met: i) the wiring allowing an unobstructed translation of thepatient support table to its maximum range; ii) minimum superfluouscable length in the area of patient handling; ii) limited bending andtorsion of the wiring during a translation of the table top.

Different approaches aiming to meet at least some of these criteria areknown in the art. Firstly, the individual cables are arranged asindividual spirals, which are stretched during the translation of thetable top. This approach causes even bigger problems when individualspirals are tangled and twisted around each other. When the loops of theindividual spirals are twisted around each other in a vicinity of thetable top a longitudinal translation of the patient support table may beobstructed. Bending and torsion of the individual cables is stillpossible. Also, the elasticity of the twisted cables reduces with time,when they are often pulled on. Secondly, it is tried to select a uniqueposition of the control means with respect to the table top. Thisapproach is not welcome in the field of medical profession as it impliesthat all operators of an apparatus must select a unique position tooperate the apparatus. For cardiac intervention procedures, for example,this solution is objected as the operator is constantly changing hisposition with respect to the patient Finally, it has been proposed toput all cables into a single tube which is running from a foot-end ofthe patient support table to the table base. This solution isdisadvantageous as still the tube is in the way hindering theaccessibility of the patient support table. Also the body of the tubecan still be bend over a considerable angle causing a damage of thehoused cables. In addition, it is known in the art of medicalprofession, that a plurality of additional meters is applied to thepatient during a procedure of the patient handling. The tube can be anobstacle to the wiring of the additional meters.

The technical measure of the invention is based on the insight that itis advantageous to further sub-divide the second sub-path of the wiring.By providing a substantially flexible guiding means for housing thecables, said guiding means matching the displacement of the patientsupport table, the cables do not change their position with respect toeach other and do not experience torsion during a translation androtation of the table top. The material and construction of the guidingmeans can be suitably selected so that sharp bending of the resultingassembly is avoided. Due to this technical measure the wiring isprotected from damage thus increasing its durability. It is furtheradvantageous to arrange the first connection means and the secondconnection means at the respective ends of the guiding means, in orderto ease a reconnection of the wiring. As the control means can bearranged to be mountable on the side rails of the patient support table,it is found to be further advantageous to provide cable accommodationmeans on a side surface of the patient support table to accommodate apath of the cable between the control means and the second connectionmeans. An example of a suitable cable accommodation means is a hook Inan embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the patientsupport table comprises a table-top with a front surface for supportingthe patient and a rear surface, the guiding means being positioned in adirect vicinity of the rear surface of the table-top substantiallyparallel to a plane of the table-top.

This technical measure has the advantage that due to the spatialarrangement of the guiding means according to the invention, the plateof the table-top serves as a protective member to the guiding means.Therefore, no obstruction for the wiring of supplementary equipment iscaused. When the table-top is translated in a vertical direction, theguiding means move as a whole together with it, and is not exposed tothe environment In the field of interventional application this leads toa surprising advantageous effect that the cables stay free fromcontamination, for instance blood, during the patient handling.

In a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention theguiding means comprises an assembly of interconnected segments, saidassembly being movably arranged substantially directly beneath a tabletop of the patient support table. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that by selecting the guiding means of a suitable length andby movably attaching the guiding means beneath the table top thelongitudinal translation of the table top to its maximum range isenabled. Suitable flexible hollow chains built up of a plurality ofsegments are known per se. An e-chain carrier system, available on themarket under a trade name Igus® is a suitable example of an embodimentof the hollow chain. An application of this assembly for housing cablesfor apparatus for patient handling results in an surprisingly elegantsolution meeting the criteria, as are set forth above. When the assemblyis attached to two non-movable fixation points, for example a foot ofthe table top and a table pedestal, the assembly demonstrates a slidingmovement between a slide-in position and a slide-out position of thetable top, while being substantially horizontally oriented in space. Theassembly can be arranged to have a sole degree of freedom in ahorizontal direction. In this case it does not sag under the action ofthe gravity force, which is advantageous as no extra fixating means tohold the assembly in a position is required.

In a still further embodiment of the apparatus according to theinvention, the patient support table is arranged with a border portionfor steering a movement of the guiding means. It is found to beadvantageous to arrange the patient support table with a border portionwhich limits space taken by the guiding means. This technical measure isparticularly advantageous for guiding means allowing a curving in ahorizontal plane beyond the width of the table top. It is found to beparticularly advantageous to limit the bending radius to about 15centimeters to reduce cabling damage due to sharp bending radii.

These and other aspects of the invention will be discussed in moredetail with reference to figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of conventional apparatusarranged for patient handling, as is known in the art.

FIG. 2 a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatusproviding with the guiding means according to the invention.

FIG. 2 b shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a first fixationpoint of the guiding means.

FIG. 2 c shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a second fixationpoint of the guiding means.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a patient support table provided withthe guiding means according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of conventional apparatusarranged for patient handling, as is known in the art. The apparatus 1is an X-ray diagnostic unit comprising an electronic unit 2 arranged toenable the X-ray examination. The electronic unit 2 comprises an X-raysource 2 a and an X-ray detector 2 b. The patient to be examined ispositioned on a patient support table 4. The patient support table 4comprises a table top 4 a which can be translated with respect to thetable base 4 b. The table top 4 a is limited by a table head 4 e and atable foot 4 e′. In order to operate the apparatus 1 a set of controlmeans 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d and 12 e are provided. All control means 12a, 12 b, 12 c, 12d, 12 e are electrically connected to the table baseconnection box 6 by means of a wiring 8. The control means 12 comprisesnecessary user interfaces enabling the operator to carry out the patienthandling. It must be noted that the control means 12 can comprise aplurality of independent units, positioned at different locations aroundthe table-top 4 a. The table base connection box 6 is connected with aremote location by means of a wiring, which most commonly runs under afloor. During a handling of the patient, the table top 4 a is beingpositioned in a x-y-z-space so that an X-ray beam emanating from anX-ray source 2 a is intercepted by the target area of the patient. Foroblique orientations for the X-ray beam, the table top can be rotatedabout a vertical axis (not shown), which is preferably locatedsubstantially midway of the table top. In order to be able to viewdifferent parts of the patient, the position of the X-ray beam withrespect to the patient is optimized by means of a suitable positioningof the table top 4 a and a suitable rotation and angulation of the unit2. In order to achieve the suitable position the operator of theapparatus 1 uses the control means 12 c. It must be noted, that thecontrol means 12 are frequently placed at different positions at thetable top 4 a in order to mninimize the X-ray exposure to the operatorand improve the ease of operation. As the control means 12 is providedwith a wiring 8, which can tangle and hook at the table foot 4 e′, areplacement of the control means is not easy. Next to this, duringtangling and hooking behind the table foot and due to the operatorspulling the wiring to untangle them, and due to a repetitivedisplacement of the table top 4 a, the wiring 8 can be bended and canexperience torsion, which leads to a damage of the wiring 8.

FIG. 2 a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatusproviding with the guiding means according to the invention. The guidingmeans (not shown) is positioned in a direct vicinity of a rear surfaceof the table-top 4 a, substantially parallel to a plane of thetable-top. As a result, the guiding means is protected by the table-top,thus yielding a compact structure which does not require additionalspace to accommodate it Next to this, when the table-top 4 a istranslated in a vertical direction, the guiding means moves with it as awhole, still being substantially housed by the table-top 4 a. Thisfeature is particularly advantageous for interventional applications,where the cables and the guiding means may not be contaminated, forexample by blood. Additionally, for sterility purposes the table-top 4 atogether with the guiding means can be easily covered by a protectivecloth. The apparatus 10 is provided with a table top connection box 4 c,which is attachable to the table top preferably at the foot portion ofthe table top. The wiring (not shown) is directed from the table baseconnection box 6 via the table pedestal 4 b, under the table top 4 a tothe table top connection box 4 c, which is provided with secondconnection means 4 d providing suitable connectors to the wiring (notshown) running to the control means 12 a to 12 e. A profile 7 ispreferably provided at a foot end flange of the table top whereto thecontrol means can be mounted. The wiring running from the table pedestalexit point to the table top connection box is housed in the guidingmeans 16, an embodiment thereof being shown in detail in FIGS. 2 b (indirection B to the table head) and FIG. 2 c (in direction A to the tablefoot). Preferably, all necessary wiring to the control means 12 isaccommodated in a single guiding means, leaving freedom to displaceablyarrange the control means 12, or any one of its modules at any locationon the patient support table for operator convenience. This is enableddue to the fact, that there is the second connection means 7, therelatively short path of the wiring emanating from the second connectionmeans 7 runs free in space, enabling any desired displacement of thecontrol means 12 or any one of its modules along the table top. Theguiding means 16 can be a suitable hollow container which is arranged tokeep the individual cables in place during the displacement of the tabletop 4 a and is selected with a suitable length to match the maximumdisplacement of the table top. Preferably, the guiding means are fixatedto two static fixation points, for example a table pedestal 4 b and atable top connection box 4 c. During a translation of the table top 4 athe guiding means 16 slide under the surface of the table top 4 a thusmatching the movement of the table top. The construction and material ofthe guiding means can be selected from per se known products. An exampleof a suitable guiding means is a tube of a suitable diameter and asuitable rigidity to avoid sharp bending radii. In this case the tubemust be fixated to the rear surface of the table top to prevent itssagging. Next to this a chain built up of a plurality of segments canalso be used as the guiding means. In case the chain has a sole degreeof freedom in a horizontal plane, it does not sag under the influence ofthe Earth's gravitational field. In order to accommodate the wiringrunning from the table top connection box 4 c to the control means 12 aset of hooks 5 can be arranged on the rails (not shown) of the table top4 a.

FIG. 2 b shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a first fixationpoint of the guiding means. In this embodiment a chain 16 comprisinginterconnected segments is selected as the guiding means. The dimensionsof the chain 16 are selected so that the wiring 8 is accommodated in thevolume of the chain, whereas during a sliding movement of the chain nosharp bending of the wiring 8 occurs and no torsion to the wiring isinduced. The chain 16 at it's first end 16″ is fixed to the pedestal 4 bin a direct vicinity of the rear surface 4 f of the table-top. In thisway the wiring together with the guiding means do not obstruct thetranslation of the table and do not tangle with wiring of supplementarymedical equipment (not shown). FIG. 2 c shows a schematic view of anembodiment of a second fixation point of the guiding means 16 indirection to the table foot. The guiding means 16 are fixated at itssecond fixation point 16′ to the table top connection box 4 c, theelectrical connections to the control means being provided by a suitableelectronics unit 18.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a patient support table provided withthe guiding means according to the invention. For ease of understanding,the table top is removed revealing the guiding means 16 over itscomplete length. The guiding means 16 comprise a plurality ofinterconnected segments 16 a which are preferably arranged to allow asole degree of freedom of the overall assembly in the horizontaldirection, schematically shown by an arrow H. When the table top takes aslide-in position, the guiding means 16 exhibit a O-like structure. Dueto the fact, that the guiding means are fixed to the first fixationposition 16′ and to the second fixating position 16″ the guiding meansslides and extends as the table top is translated in a longitudinaldirection along the arrow T. The table top connection box 4 c isprovided with a plurality of connectors 4 d to enable an electricalconnection of the wiring in the guiding means 16 to the wiring of thecontrol means (not shown). It is advantageous to provide the patientsupport table with a border portion to limit the width of the O-likestructure. In this embodiment a plurality of border portions 19 isshown, which are preferably distributed along a path of the guidingmeans 16.

1. An apparatus arranged to enable a patient handling, said apparatuscomprising an electronic unit arranged to carry-out said handling, atranslatable patient support table and control means arranged to controlsaid apparatus, said apparatus further comprising a wiring to thecontrol means, said wiring being at least partially housed in asubstantially flexible guiding means arranged to substantially match adisplacement of the patient support table.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the patient support table comprises a table-top with afront surface for supporting the patient and a rear surface, the guidingmeans being positioned in a direct vicinity of the rear surface of thetable-top substantially parallel to a plane of the table-top.
 3. Theapparatus according to claims 1, wherein the guiding means comprises anassembly of interconnected segments, said assembly being movablyarranged substantially directly beneath a table top of the patientsupport table.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thepatient support table is arranged with a border portion for steering amovement of the guiding means.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the assembly is bendable with a minimum radius of 15 cm.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is arranged toenable an X-ray examination of the patient.
 7. A patient support tablefor use in the apparatus according to claim
 1. 8. A patient table for amedical imaging system comprising: a table-top for supporting a patient;one or more control means for adjusting the position of the table-top; atable base connection box which connects to one or more remotelocations; a table top connection box which is connected to said tablebase connection box via a plurality of cables under the table-top,wherein said table top connection box also connected to said one or morecontrol means.
 9. The patient table of claim 8 further comprising aflexible guiding means for housing connection wires between said tabletop connection box and said control means.
 10. The patient table ofclaim 9, wherein said flexible guiding means is arranged tosubstantially match a displacement of the table-top.
 11. The patienttable of claim 10 further comprising one or more border portions forsteering the movement of the guiding means.
 12. A patient table for amedical imaging system comprising: a table-top for supporting a patient;one or more control means for controlling the position of the table-top;a wiring to the control means, said wiring being at least partiallyhoused in a substantially flexible guiding means arranged tosubstantially match a displacement of the table-top.
 13. The patienttable of claim 12, wherein said guiding means is substantially housed bythe table-top.
 14. The patient table of claim 12 further comprising oneor more border portions for steering the movement of the guiding means.